The key battles to watch

Scott McDonald v Ragnvald Soma

Watch for the clash between Scott Brown and Rapid's Steffen Hofmann []

Celtic’s most potent striker was benched for their last Euro outing, the woeful 2-1 defeat to Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

But McDonald will be desperate to start tonight and open his Europa League account.

While Celtic’s other attackers have failed to get going this term, the Aussie has netted six goals in his 12 outings and history shows he loves the big European nights at Parkhead.

Rapid are without star names across their backline but a clean sheet against Hamburg in their 3-0 opening match victory shows their defence can cope against top opposition.

Norway international Soma, 29, is one of the more experienced members of the side.

Scott Brown v Steffen Hofmann

If Celtic are to grab all three points, they will need cool heads in the heat of the battle – particularly with a full house baying for revenge over the Austrians.

Brown thrives off that kind of intensity but the Scotland star will have to play with a little more head and a little less heart in this one. The former Hibs man has the class and physical quality to run a match like this.

Rapid’s own midfield general, Hoffman, learned his trade in Bayern Munich’s youth academy, but it’s in Vienna where the German playmaker has really made the grade.

Against Hamburg and Aston Villa in the qualifier, the skipper was at the heart of everything Rapid did.

Glenn Loovens v Hamdi Salihi

While Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus have fought over the remaining central defensive berth this season, Loovens has been a consistent feature.

The Dutchman was used as back-up by Tony Mowbray’s predecessor, Gordon Strachan, but, under the new manager, he seems to have nailed down his place in his typical no-nonsense style.

As Rapid proved against Hamburg, they pose a substantial threat in attack.

Salihi didn’t start in that game, but after the striker banged in three goals in his three league games this term – including a double last weekend – the man nicknamed ‘The Bomber’ is in line for his second Europa League start at Parkhead tonight.